BOXING fans’ hearts were well and truly warmed after seeing former fighters Michael Watson and Nick Blackwell walk side-by-side during an afternoon stroll.
The duo’s respective careers were cut short due to brutal beatings they took in the ring.
Watson suffered a blood clot on his brain during his brutal 12th-round knockout loss to Chris Eubank Sr in their 1991 Tottenham tussle for the WBO super-middleweight title.
The 50-year-old collapsed in the ring and didn’t receive medical attention for a staggering 28 minutes, subsequently slipping into a 40-day coma.
Blackwell, 32, was placed into a medically-induced coma following the brutal beatdown he suffered in his 2016 British middleweight title fight with Chris Eubank Jr.
He recovered and promptly announced his retirement, although he found himself in another more damaging coma the following November after falling seriously ill following a sparring session.
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Both men, thankfully, recovered from their life-threatening ordeals.
And the pair recently enjoyed a walk together in what’s left of the summer sun.
Blackwell shared a video of himself and Watson strolling down the street on Twitter on Thursday.
A proud as punch Blackwell smiled and made a fist as Watson used him for support to walk down the street.
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His accompanying caption read: “They said we would NEVER walk again.
“We had our skulls removed. Small chance of survival.
“Me and Micheal Watson defied all odds we proved the specialists wrong… now we’re walking side by side.”
Fight fans were quick to comment on the heartwarming video, with one saying: “Awesomeness.”
Another said: “Just truly epic, I know how hard it is to get to this point!”
And another said: “This is such an inspiration to see the progress mad.”
One remarked: “Love that. Both looking in great shape too!”
Another chimed in: “A great video.
Watson has talked openly about that life-changing night in Tottenham down the years but insists he bears no “ill-will” towards Eubank Sr.
He told SunSport: “My life is full and the British public have been wonderful to me. I can’t have regrets.
“As I said recently, we have to move on and I don’t bear any ill-will towards Chris.
“He apologised to me but he didn’t have to do that. What I am pleased about is that what happened to me that night made everybody take stock and realise that boxing had to be made safer.
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“New rules were brought in and we now have all the medical equipment we need at ringside, as well as paramedics and ambulances on stand-by.
“Hopefully, that has prevented other boxers getting more serious injuries.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
